“By mid-November, Match High School senior Aneudy Miguel Polanco has been late to school 15 times, but he’s quick with excuses. On top of a full college preparation schedule, he juggles baseball training and his job as a cashier at T.J. Maxx. He helps his single mom take care of two younger brothers and a newborn baby sister, and struggles to meet so many deadlines he sometimes doesn’t remember what week it is.

“I’ve been slacking a bit,” he acknowledges, with a grin, but also a bit of panic. Aneudy wants to go to college, and knows it’s expected of him.”